NANS Urges Tinubu to Act as Nigerian Scholarship Students ‘Abandoned’ in Morocco

NANS Urges Tinubu to Act as Nigerian Scholarship Students ‘Abandoned’ in Morocco

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene in what it described as the abandonment of Nigerian students on government scholarships in Morocco, alleging severe neglect and humanitarian hardship.

In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by the Vice President, External Affairs of NANS, Comrade Kenechukwu Aneke, the association said students sent abroad under Federal Government scholarship programmes have been left without financial support, forcing many into dehumanising conditions, including begging for food to survive.

NANS expressed outrage over a widely circulated video showing the dire situation of the students, noting that funds were allegedly allocated for their upkeep but never reached them. The association further alleged that a student, Bashir Malami, had reportedly died as a result of the hardship, describing the incident as a tragic consequence of administrative failure and neglect.

According to NANS, the situation represents a blatant betrayal of trust by authorities responsible for overseas scholarships, particularly agencies under the Federal Ministry of Education.

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“The education and welfare of Nigerian students, whether at home or abroad, must not be treated with levity,” the statement said, adding that the government has a moral and constitutional duty to protect citizens sent abroad on official sponsorship.

The student body called on President Tinubu, the Minister of Education, the Federal Scholarship Board, and other relevant agencies to take immediate action. Its demands include urgent repatriation and welfare support for affected students, a full investigation into the alleged mismanagement of scholarship funds, immediate release of outstanding stipends and allowances, and a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s overseas scholarship programme.

“NANS stands in solidarity with these suffering students and their families. We will not relent until justice is served and their dignity is restored,” the association said, urging the media and civil society groups to amplify the call for accountability.

However, the Federal Government has dismissed claims of abandonment, insisting that all valid Nigerian scholarship beneficiaries in Morocco received payments up to 2024. The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said the decision to discontinue government-funded bilateral scholarships abroad followed a policy review which concluded that Nigeria now has adequate capacity to run similar programmes locally.

Alausa added that students already enrolled under existing agreements were offered continued support or the option to return to Nigeria, with assurances of reintegration into tertiary institutions and coverage of return travel costs.

Despite the government’s position, NANS insists that the welfare of Nigerian students abroad must remain a priority, stressing that authorities must take full responsibility for citizens deployed overseas on national assignments.

NANS Urges Tinubu to Act as Nigerian Scholarship Students ‘Abandoned’ in Morocco